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Apparently there’s an argument around that even if Johnson was forced to seek an extension under the Benn Bill the U.K. could then veto the Council decision offering the extension. I was told @BBCNormanS had said this (apologies if false).
That is incorrect. The Council for these (Brexit) purposes sits as the EU27. The U.K. has no vote (though it must agree any extension - a possibility covered in the Bill). See Article 50(3) and (4).
Johnson could of course seek to persuade eg Hungary or Poland to veto any Council decision. But no legislation could stop that (and indeed Johnson could do that as an ordinary citizen).
There seems to me though to be a real issue as to whether, if the Benn Bill was passed, the FCO and the civil service generally could properly (or even lawfully) assist Johnson in the objective of undermining it.
Any thoughts on that welcome (and indeed on whether Johnson would be acting unlawfully in taking that course if action).
